Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about DEAR Inventory
We’re big fans of DEAR Inventory here at BlueHub.
But as much as we love inventory apps, we know they aren’t always the easiest to get to grips with.
So to help you get a head start on understanding DEAR, we’ve put together the most frequently asked questions we hear on a daily basis – from pricing and integrations to the specific functions that pop up the most.
What is DEAR?
DEAR is a cloud-based ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) software that’s designed for accurate stock control, in-depth reporting, and greater operational efficiency.
It’s an all-in-one package that covers:
- Inventory Management
- Streamlined Accounting
- B2B Portals and eCommerce
- Supplier and Customer Management
- And Warehouse Management
Is DEAR just for manufacturers?
DEAR is well known for its powerful tools that help manufacturing businesses to stay on top of their production and their inventory. But it’s not just for manufacturers, it’s a top-class ERP for retailers, wholesalers, and eCommerce operators, too – with built-in modules for POS (Point of Sale), B2B Portals, and multi-platform eCommerce sales.
How much does DEAR cost?
DEAR works on a monthly subscription that starts at around £180 a month ($249 USD). That’s for a basic package that includes 5 users, 2 external integrations, and all of the usual customer support, accounting integration, and payment processors. You can then pay extra each month for every additional user – or for any extras you need, such as POS units, B2B Portals, or additional APIs.
How does DEAR help manufacturers?
One of the things that sets DEAR apart from other inventory apps is its powerful tools for manufacturing businesses. With DEAR, you’ll be able to:
- Create advanced Bills of Materials (BOMs) – with Product Families, Multi-level Assembly, and Auto-Assembly for complex products
- Estimate production costs and track expenses – with product data pulled automatically from your sales channels, and multi-warehouse management across different locations
- And keep on top of your production issues – with fast barcode scanning and automatic stock selection.
Can I replace components with DEAR?
Assemblies can be tricky – and you might need to replace components along the way.
Here’s how to process a replaced component in an assembly with DEAR:
- Process a credit note for the value of the returned component.
- If you’re returning the component to your inventory, you’ll also need to process stock adjustment.
- For the new component, you can convert the sale to an Advanced Sale so you can process another fulfilment.
Can I use DEAR software in a physical store?
Yes! With the DEAR Point of Sale (POS) module, you can turn any mobile device into a point of sale unit. You’ll be able to list your product catalogue, invite users, make sales, process returns, and much more – and it’s all fully integrated with your DEAR Inventory system.
Can I use DEAR to sell online?
DEAR has its own B2B eCommerce Portal, so your customers can browse and order from your catalogue 24 hours a day. It’s perfect for any kind of business that sells to other businesses – whether you’re a manufacturer selling to wholesalers, or a wholesaler selling to retailers.
But the B2B Portal doesn’t come included in the basic package. You’ll need to pay extra for a B2B Portal licence, and you’ll have to pay for each additional portal you need.
Can I use DEAR to manage my warehouses?
DEAR comes with its own module tailored for warehouses: the DEAR WMS (Warehouse Management System). The WMS uses wireless barcode scanning (with either ScanSKU or mPOP barcodes) to make picking and packing easy and efficient.
Can DEAR be integrated with cloud accounting software?
Yes! Just like you’d expect with any modern inventory software, DEAR comes with built-in integrations to both Xero and QuickBooks Online (QBO) – two of the biggest and most popular cloud accounting services out there. With a pre-built integration that’s ready to go straight out of the box, you’ll be able to automatically sync your data between your inventory software (DEAR) and your accounting software (Xero or QBO).
Does DEAR integrate with any eCommerce platforms?
DEAR comes with a wide range of integrations for selling online, including:
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- Magento
- eBay
- Amazon
- And Etsy.
You’ll also be able to link up your DEAR system to your B2B platforms. On top of DEAR’s own B2B Portal, you’ll have ready-made integrations for two external platforms: Handshake and Pepperi.
What if I can’t find the DEAR integration I need?
DEAR comes with a huge range of pre-built integrations. But you might be working in a niche industry – or you might be using platforms that aren’t as popular as some of the mainstream ones.
So if you need to link your DEAR system to an app or a platform that’s not yet supported, you’ll need someone who can build a custom integration. And that means you’ll need a team of experienced developers on your side – like our own developers here at BlueHub, who create custom integrations for all kinds of different software.
Looking for more help with DEAR and how it works?
DEAR is a powerful piece of kit – and things can get complex when you drill down into the details. So to help you on your way to a complete understanding of DEAR and its systems, we’ve created an open support group for DEAR users on Facebook.
It’s a community-led space where DEAR users can come together to share their knowledge, their progress, and their DEAR tips and tricks – in a friendly online environment that’s built around helping each other improve and grow.